A digital-to-analog converter includes a potentiometric string suitable for realizing a relatively high number of bits that significantly reduces the silicon area requirement and simplifies mismatch compensation. The structure includes a first resistance string to realize a first DAC to convert a first number of most significative bits, and a second potentiometric string functionally connected in cascade to the first, but realized with MOS transistors. The structure of the invention allows the coupling of the two DACs in cascade by exploiting the MOS transistors that form the second potentiometric string, that is, the second DAC, thus avoiding the use of operational switches or amplifiers which may provide error sources. Moreover, the structure of the invention lends itself to the implementation of efficient compensation circuits for integral and differential linearity errors.

Compensated MOS string and DAC employing such a potentiometric string

CASTELLO, RINALDO;
1999-01-01

Abstract

A digital-to-analog converter includes a potentiometric string suitable for realizing a relatively high number of bits that significantly reduces the silicon area requirement and simplifies mismatch compensation. The structure includes a first resistance string to realize a first DAC to convert a first number of most significative bits, and a second potentiometric string functionally connected in cascade to the first, but realized with MOS transistors. The structure of the invention allows the coupling of the two DACs in cascade by exploiting the MOS transistors that form the second potentiometric string, that is, the second DAC, thus avoiding the use of operational switches or amplifiers which may provide error sources. Moreover, the structure of the invention lends itself to the implementation of efficient compensation circuits for integral and differential linearity errors.
1999
The Electrical and Electronics Engineering category covers resources concerned with applications of electricity, generally those involving current flow through conductors, as in motors and generators. This category also covers the examination of the conduction of electricity through gases or a vacuum as well as through semiconducting materials. Topics include image and signal processing, electromagnetics, electronic components and materials, microwave technology, and microelectronics.
US 5943000
SGS-Thomson Microelectronics S.r.L.
DAC; REFERENCE GENERATOR; CMOS
6 Brevetti::6.1 Brevetto
none
M., Nessi; Castello, Rinaldo; G., Fucili; M., Leone; A., Rossi
info:eu-repo/semantics/patent
285
5
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11571/145798
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